Om shanti, shanti, shanti...

Om, peace, peace, peace...

This mantra is an invocation of peace, often repeated at the end of a session or practice of yoga or meditation. It has two purposes. First, it affirms that peace is available to us at any moment that we choose to tune in to it. Second, repeating this mantra helps to create more peace in the world. According to yoga philosophy, when we call something into being with a pure heart and a focused mind, we are using our consciuosness to shape reality. This is the primary purpose of all mantras: They are tools to manifest intention.

To extract the full power of this beautiful mantra, visualize each word's impact as you recite it.

For example, when reciting the first shanti, you can think of it as asking for peace for yourself; with the second shanti, peace for your family and friends; and with the third , peace for the entire planet.

When you do this with full faith, full devotion and focused intention, you will create greater opportunities to call peace into all aspects of your life.

Namaste~Andrea

Walking Meditation

There is a Buddhist exercise that teaches us to appreciate the spiritual qualities of nature and living in the present moment. It is called, "walking meditation". It is designed to stop us from hurrying, dashing, rushing...when our "steps print anxiety and sorrow on our earth". In this meditation we walk slowly, mindfully alone or with a friend, preferably in a beautiful place. We walk as though we were the happiest person on earth. We walk not thinking about the past or worrying about the future. We walk, being present. We stop our minds from darting around. We transform our walking path to a field for meditation-our feet taking every step in full awareness. Breathing (pranayama) and stepping in harmony. Calming the chattering mind (citta vritti nirodhah). Namaste~Andrea